This year, the Havana Film Festival in New York (Hffny), a project by The American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (AFLFC), is ready to celebrate a quarter of a century of captivating stories that have illuminated the big screen with the voices and visions of Latin America. From April 3 to 10, 2025, the city will be filled with a vibrant energy and a passion for Latin cinema with more than 35 films that have conquered the most prestigious festivals in the world. This milestone is not just a film celebration, but a reaffirmation of Hffny’s commitment to be a cultural bridge between Cuba, Latin America and the Latin diaspora.
The party begins on April 3, when the DGA Theater will dress with a red carpet to welcome filmmakers, actors and cinema lovers. The opening night will have a special touch with the New York premiere of natural phenomena, Marcos Díaz Sosa, a Cuban director who has created a modern version of the classic the Wizard of Oz. The film, which mixes the surreal with the endearing, tells the story of a young woman who, in her search for the best for her family, faces the truth that there is no place like the home. Attendees may interact with the main actor, Reinier Díaz, who will participate in a question and answers session.
But natural phenomena is only the beginning of a week full of cinema that awakens the senses. The festival will not only be limited to projections, but will also offer a series of special programs that include taxes to large Latin American filmmakers, such as the recently deceased Jorge Luis Sánchez, a pioneer of Afro -Cuban cinema. This year, in addition, Hffny expands its scope with the projection of films that explore the musical genres of the region, in collaboration with the Festival Our Sounds of Carnegie Hall, celebrating the rhythms of the cumbia, the reggaeton and the Cuban Son.
Among the most anticipated films, are the premiere of Malecón by Carlos Larrazabal, which closes the festival on April 10. This film tells Elvis’s story, a young man who is caught in the underground world of Havana while fighting to save what he wants: Yuli’s love and Martin’s friendship. Moving documentaries will also be presented, such as Quba!, That explores life in Cuba through a unique lens, and the land of the whale, a look at the struggle of the Cuban communities for preserving their identity.
This year, Hffny also pays tribute to filmmakers who challenge reality, with the South-Real series: Fantasy & Vision in Ibero-American Cinema. The projections of iconic short films by Luis Buñuel and Glauber Rocha, followed by an academic discussion about Latin American surrealism, will invite attendees to question the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
Diana Vargas, artistic director of Hffny, shared her vision for this anniversary: ”This year, more than ever, we are committed to highlighting stories that reflect the richness of Latin life, including LGBTQ+voices, powerful dramas about female experience and documentaries that open our eyes to many times invisible realities.”
More than 20 filmmakers from all over Latin America will be present at the festival, offering the public the opportunity to meet first hand the creative process behind the films. Film festivals have become spaces for dialogue, and Hffny 2025 is an opportunity to strengthen ties between Latin communities and New York city.
Throughout these 25 years, the festival has been a lighthouse for Latin American cinema, highlighting works that not only entertain, but also educate, mobilize and transform. With this milestone, Hffny continues its legacy of being a meeting point for the most innovative filmmakers and audiences that seek to connect with their roots and understand the complexities of Latin identity.
Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this unique event, full of emotions, stories and rhythms that only cinema can offer. For more information about tickets, passes and schedules, visit the official website at www.hffny.com.
